AFC frets over attacks on Trotman

The Alliance For Change said it has taken note of the unwarranted attacks against newly elected Speaker of the National Assembly Raphael Trotman by members of the PPP/C and is urging those involved to desist from such behaviour.

Speaker of the National Assembly Raphael Trotman

In a statement the AFC said: “The PPP/C will do well to recognise that a larger percentage of the Guyanese electorate voted to not have a PPP/C government. It was this action of the Guyanese people that gave the opposition a majority in the House, thus allowing Trotman to be elected as Speaker of the tenth Parliament.”
According to the AFC, no amount of ‘howling in the wind’ can alter the fact that Guyanese, through the power of the ballot, have said that they need change. The onus is now on their elected representatives to honour the call of the people.
“Time would be better served if those vainly trying to find fault with Trotman should redirect their efforts towards ensuring that the present Parliament delivers on its mandate to hold the government accountable and provide the people of this country with laws that are in the best interest of all the people and not ministers of government,” the statement said.
Calls have been made for Trotman to step down as leader of the AFC, as the post of Speaker requires the person holding it to sever ties with his political party. The AFC said Trotman has served previous Parliaments of Guyana with distinction and dignity and these are the characteristics, coupled with his knowledge of Parliamentary procedures gained through years in the Assembly  and  brilliance as an attorney that have caused the majority of members of the National Assembly to place such immense trust in him. “The AFC is confident that Trotman will fulfil his duties as Speaker of the House with diligence and humility, and that he will be fair and true to the oath he took thereby bringing greater honour to himself, his family, the National Assembly and the AFC. The AFC is urging members of Parliament not to be side-tracked by the whining of persons who behave like spoilt brats who have had their toy taken away. There is much that this Parliament must accomplish if Guyana is to move forward in peace and unity.”
Former Speaker of the National Assembly, Ralph Ramkarran in a recent column said that the Speaker of the House should be held by one who is impartial, and has severed most leadership ties with the political party to which he or she is affiliated. He said Trotman may find great difficulty in reconciling the position of speaker with those of leader and list representative of the Alliance for Change (AFC). “A Speaker promoting the opposition’s agenda will quickly discover that his effectiveness is limited. His only agenda is and should be to promote the work of Parliament, comprising both government and opposition”.
He added that the “debate about conventions and candidates is over, and the choice is made. Mr Trotman deserves our support for success in a job that he will find requires all of his considerable parliamentary and political experience”. According to the former Speaker, who is also an attorney by profession, the new Speaker must demonstrate much impartiality and fairness. “Speakers are normally identified with political parties, usually governing parties. When elected, they relinquish their leading political roles, or suppress, or do not publicise any overtly partisan activities.” He said Trotman has indicated that he will not contest the post of leader of the AFC when the party’s elections are held in a few months time, but he (Trotman) is yet to publicise his views on remaining on the list representative of his party. This, Ramkarran said, he is eagerly waiting.
“Mr Trotman is not merely identified with the AFC as a leading figure or an executive member. He is its leader and representative on its list. In these capacities, he is the leading official and chief spokesperson of the AFC.”